What happened
On March 17, 2025, a Jetstream 3200 aircraft operated by Línea Aérea Nacional de Honduras S.A. (LANHSA) was involved in an accident during its departure from Roatán. The flight, designated LNH-018, was scheduled to travel from the Juan Manuel Gálvez International Airport (MHRO) in Roatán to La Ceiba.
At approximately 18:25 local time (00:27 UTC), the aircraft began its takeoff roll on runway 07. According to the preliminary report, the Jetstream lifted off at an altitude of roughly 20 to 35 feet above the ground. However, shortly after becoming airborne, the aircraft veered significantly to the right side of the runway centerline. The pilot lost control of the aircraft, which subsequently impacted the ocean waters adjacent to the airport.
The wreckage came to rest at a depth of approximately 50 to 60 meters, located about 150 meters from the outer edge of the airport boundary. At the time of the incident, there were 17 people on board, including two crew members and 15 passengers.
The investigation
The Honduran Civil Aviation Agency (AHAC) initiated a technical investigation into the accident in accordance with national and international protocols. Authorities are currently collecting multimedia documentation and physical components from the crash site to conduct a scientific analysis of the aircraft's systems and performance data.
The preliminary report notes that the investigation is ongoing. The final determination of the causes will be detailed in the Final Report issued by the Accident and Incident Investigation Commission (CIAIA). No specific mechanical failures or pilot errors have been confirmed in this initial phase, as the technical analysis is still underway.
Findings
The primary finding established by the preliminary data is that the aircraft departed the immediate vicinity of the runway to the right during the initial climb-out phase. The deviation from the flight path resulted in a direct impact with the water. The specific causal factors contributing to the loss of control remain under investigation and are not yet determined.
Safety action
No safety recommendations or corrective actions have been issued at this stage, as the investigation is still in its preliminary data collection phase.